Collins America seems to believe that most iPhone/iPod users want to keep their units close, but not TOO close. To that end, they've unveiled Danglet, a US$14.99 (plus $3.50 S/H) wrist/neck strap. Burbles the company's ad copy, "Danglet
simply plugs into the dock connector port on the bottom
of your iPod or iPhone, securely snapping into place,
and provides a sturdy stainless steel loop through
which any string or hook mounted wrist or neck strap
can be attached. We provide basic wrist and neck straps
with your Danglet. But, you can go ahead and use any
strap you may already own or choose to buy. Danglet
fits them all."

There's the inevitable YouTube clip of the gizmo in action:

What's wrong with this picture? Well, for starters, the folks in the vid are slinging their "i's" around like (a) the connector port absolutely, positively, will NEVER give way — and if the company believes that, there's a certain Mr. Murphy we'd like to introduce them to — and (b) the devices themselves are actually made of high-impact materials, instead of the thin glass/plastic/metal shells they actually have.

About Dactyl Anapest

12 Comments

I agree that for most people this would be really stupid, but as a sailor, I am tempted to keep from dropping the phone into the bilge or overboard. Usually I use my modded Otterbox case, with an attached tether, but I can imagine one good use for this thing.

Obviously this review was written by a man.
Women have a difficult time carrying cell phones of any variety. Wearing a belt clip case is not always an option, carrying it in our hand means that we don’t have our hands available to do other things and when we are pregnant we have NO WHERE to hook a cell phone.
So attaching it to a neck lanyard is not such a bad idea.

Kim is right. The minute I saw the Danglet, I knew it was the answer to my problems. It is a brilliant design. The video showing people slinging their iPods around is to demonstrate the security of the connector, similar to the old Timex commercials showing watches attached to a motorboat propeller and submerged in a lake. “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” They weren’t recommending people abuse their watches, and Collins isn’t suggesting people risk their devices (although I have heard of more than one iPhone destroyed playing Light Saber or from being thrown accidentally when using an app that requires vigorous shaking!)
A belt clip case doesn’t work with round hips. Putting the iPhone/iPod in a jeans or pants pocket can eventually cause the headset wire to fray or break at the connection point, and normal movement will cause the phone to slip out. An armband is bulky, usually ugly and doesn’t fit neatly into a purse.
The Danglet comes with a lanyard and a wrist strap. I don’t see the need of the wrist strap, but the neck strap is great. The phone is easily accessible to me when I’m exercise walking, grocery shopping or driving for making calls, checking email and managing the iPod. It isn’t dangerous. Most of the naysayers are pushing a perceived lack of coolness. This thing has been thought through by the designers. It fills a need and that makes it very, very cool. Oh, yes. Flat woven black strap. Sleek silver hook. Black plastic connector. Tasteful.

I completely disagree with the Worst iAccessory Ever title to this page. You are presuming that the only purpose for this device is to protect it. I think that people may choose to use it for convenience in carrying their phone as other comments have already pointed out, or even in the case of somebody who misplaces their phone a lot, as a way to tether it to their belt or neck so they can more easily keep track of it.
I am going to buy one for my son who has a habit of losing his phone out of his pocket while he’s playing, and not noticing until hours later. He’s gone through a number of phones already, and a device like this that keeps it tethered to his belt could very well be the solution.

I have had my Dangler for about 6 months now – and I use it every day. I can attest that it is incredibly secure! I love the Dangler! if I could have found a case with a lanyard, I woud get one…but the dnagler was the only option I could find, thank goodnes it works exactly as advertized!!

I do appreciate Murphys Law more than the youngsters in the video though…I have my iPhone in a Speck case – just in case.

I’ve had mine for a year and absolutely love it. No more missed calls because I couldn’t find my phone in the bottom of my purse. I am constantly asked where I got it and I have referred many many people where to find it. There are some flimsy look alikes out there so make sure you get the sturdy one. I’ll take my chances in lieu of missing calls. People ask if I’m afraid it will drop and I am but it never has yet. It’s not the product for the faint of heart I guess.

I ordered one for my 4th generation Ipod Touch and also use a wireless Bluetooth headset, I think it works really well, had it for about 6 months and no issues. I wouldn’t recommend swinging it around but for normal activities it’s great especially in the warm weather when I don’t wear a jacker.